B y R . S. M c B r id e , B u re au of S ta n d a rd s , W ash in g to n
1 7 4 T H E J O U R N A L O F I N D U S T R I A L A N D E N G I N E E R I N G C H E M I S T R Y V ol. n , N o. 2 Melting Brass in a Rocking Electric Furnace. H. W. Gil-
LETT a n d A. E . R h o a d e . Bulletin 171. 131 pp. Paper, 20 cents. Published July 1918.
The object of this paper is to set forth in detail the possi
bilities and limitations of a rocking electric brass furnace. The general problem of electric brass furnaces is discussed and various types of furnaces are compared only so far as is necessary for the purpose of this report. Information 011 such other furnaces as have found commercial use is obtainable from the makers of the various furnaces. Reference to some of the more important articles in scientific and technical publica
tions, dealing with the general subject of electric brass melting and with the performances of various specific types of furnaces, is made herein in order that interested persons may pursue the subject further.
Rock Quarrying for Cement Manufacture. O . B o w i . e s .
Bulletin 160. 160 pp. Paper, 25 cents. Published June 1918.
Innovations in the Metallurgy of Lead.. D. A. L y o n a n d
O. C. R a l s t o n . Bulletin 157. 176 pp. Paper, 20 cents.
Published July 1918. "T h e data reported in this bulletin are largely the results of experiments conducted by the Salt Lake City station of the Bureau of Mines in cooperation with the department of metallurgical research of the University of Utah.”
Sulfur Dioxide Method for Determining Copper Minerals in Partly Oxidized Ores. C. E. V a n B a r n e v e l d a n d E. S.
L e a v e r . Technical Paper 198. 14 pp. Price, 5 cents. Pub
lished October 1918.
Methods of Shutting off Water in Oil and Gas Wells. F. B.
To u g h. Bulletin 163. 122 pp. Price, 30 cents. Published October 1918.
Eighth Annual Report by the Director of the Bureau of Mines.
124 pp. Price, 10 cents. Published December 1918.
B U R E A U O F S T E A M E N G IN E E R IN G
Description of Navy Standard Boiler, Water-Testing Outfit, and Instructions for Use. Revised edition, 1918. 11 pp.
F U E L A D M IN IS T R A T IO N
Conservation by Correct Use of Natural Gas for Cooking.
Unnumbered publication of the Bureau of Oil Conservation.
Reprint of Ohio State University Bulletin 28 entitled “ Effect of Gas Pressure 011 Natural Gas Cooking Operations in the Home.” 20 pp.
Standardization of Petroleum Specifications’ Committee.
Oil Division Bulletin 1. This is the first report of this com
mittee which has been printed. 10 pp.
B U R E A U O F S T A N D A R D S
Influence of Quality of Gas and Other Factors on the Effi
ciency of Gas-Mantle Lamps. R. S. M c B r i d e , W. A. D u n k l e y ,
E. C . C r i t t e n d e n , a n d A. H . T a y l o r . Technologic Paper
i i o . 49 pp. Paper, 15 cents. Published October 25, 1918.
With uniform gas quality and with good conditions of service in other particulars the usefulness for mantle lighting of lean water gas of the qualities studied compared with rich water gas is slightly higher for some types of lamps than in propor
tion to the total heating values. Comparing lean coal gas and lean water gas of the qualities tested, the coal gas is slightly less useful, and this difference is about the same as the difference between the two qualities of water gas. Hence, it may be con
cluded that the usefulness of a uniform quality of coal gas of 550 to 575 B. t. u. per cu. ft. as compared with a uniform supply of richer water gas, e. g., one meeting a 22-candlepower requirement, is substantially in proportion to the heating values of the two gases. However, greater fluctuations in B, t. u.
per cu. ft., slightly greater difficulties in adjustment, and the other factors met in commercial use of lamps make the higher
quality gas somewhat less desirable per heat unit for general use than either of the two kinds of lean gas.
Measurements on the Index of Refraction of Air for Wave Lengths from 2218 A to 9000 A. W. F. M e g g e r s a n d C . G.
P e t e r s . Scientific Paper 327. 44 pp. Paper, 10 cents.
Published October 31, 1918.
Testing of Textile Materials. Circular 41. 3rd Edition.
This edition supersedes the 2nd edition under the title of "Testing and Properties of Textile Materials.” 15 pp. Published September 20, 1918.
Spectroradiometric Investigation of the Transmission of Various Substances. W. W. C o b l e n t z , W. B. E m e r s o n , M . B.
L o n g . Scientific Paper 325. 24 pp. Paper, 5 cents. Issued August 8, 1918. "This paper gives the spectral transmission of various substances, especially colored fluorite, light filters, and colored glasses. Some of the substances provide a simple means for obtaining narrow spectral bands of radiant energy of high intensity and large area, without the employment of a spectroscope. B y properly combining them one can obtain a screen having a narrow baud of high transmission at 0.38, 0.5, 0.55, 0.7, 0.8, 1, and 2.211. The data on glasses are also useful in giving information as to their applicability for pro
tecting the eyes from injurious radiations.”
Electrical Oscillations in Antennas and Inductance Coils.
J . M . M i l l e r . Scientific Paper 326. 20 pp. Paper, 5 cents.
Issued October 23, 1918.
Variance of Measuring Instruments and Its Relation to Accuracy and Sensitivity. F. J. S c h l i n k . Scientific Paper 328. 24 pp. Paper, 5 cents. Issued September 30, 1918.
Metric Manual for Soldiers. Miscellaneous Publications 21- 16 pp. The soldier’s primer of the metric system— an interna
tional decimal system of weights and measures adopted as the legal standard by France and thirty-three other nations and in world-wide use.
Compressive Strength of Large Brick Piers. J. G. B r a g g .
Technologic Paper i n . 39 pp. Paper, 10 cents. Issued September 20, 1918.
New Baume Scale for Sugar Solutions. F. J. B a t e s a n d
H. W. B e a r c e . Technologic Paper 115. n pp. Issued October 30, 1918.
Measurements of Wave Lengths in the Spectrum of Neon.
K . B u r n s , W. F. M e g g e r s , a n d P. W. M e r r i l l . Scientific Paper 329. 11 pp. Price, 5 cents. Published November 12, 191S.
The Decrease in Ultraviolet and Total Radiation with Usage of Quartz Mercury Vapor Lamps. W. W. C o b l e n t z , M . B.
L o n g , a n d H. K a i i l e r . Scientific Paper 330. 20 pp. Paper, 5 cents. Published November 12, 1918.
Toluol Recovery. R. S. McBride, C. E. Reinicker, and
W. A. Du n k ley. Technologic Paper 117. 60 pp. Paper, 10 cents. Published December 19, 1918. So that it might be fully informed as to the technical problems involved in these questions the Bureau sent its representatives to visit a con
siderable number of toluol-recovery plants. As a result of these inspections and after numerous conferences there was issued October 15, 1917, the preliminary report entitled "Recovery of Light Oil and Refining of Toluol.” Large demand for this preliminary issue soon exhausted the supply of this pamphlet and a new edition was therefore necessary. In the meantime, however, another publication from the Bureau entitled "Toluol Recovery and Standards for Gas Service” had been put out in a number of technical and trade publications. In connection with the revision of the first report it is desired to combine these two articles and some additional material which the Bureau has prepared in a single publication; the present paper is the re
sult. In Part II of this paper are given a description of
toluol-F e b . , 1919 T H E J O U R N A L O F I N D U S T R I A L A N D E N G I N E E R I N G C H E M I S T R Y plant construction and methods of operation, a discussion of the
various results which can be obtained, and a brief outline of the cost of carrying out this recovery. Part III is a discussion of the relation of toluol recovery to standards for gas service.
Part IV gives a typical form of contract which the Ordnance Department has made with various companies for the operation of toluol-recovery plants in connection with city gas works.
D E P A R T M E N T O F A G R IC U L T U R E
Highway Cost Keeping. J. J. T o b i n a n d A. R. L o s h . De
partment Bulletin 660. 52 pp. Paper, 10 cents. Published September 12, 1918.
The Chemical Analysis of Wheat-Flour Substitutes and of the Breads Made Therefrom. J. A. Le C lE R C a n d H. L.
W e s s l i n g . Department Bulletin 701. 12 pp. Paper, 5 cents. Published September 20, 1918. This bulletin gives the results of the analysis of more than 30-part substitutes for wheat flour and the bread made from them.
Digestibility of Protein Supplied by Soy-Bean and Peanut Press-Cake Flours. A . D. H o l m e s . Department Bulletin 717. 28 pp. Paper, 5 cents. Published September 25, 1918.
This bulletin records studies of the digestibility of protein supplied by soy-bean and peanut press-cake flours. It is pri
marily of interest to students and investigators of food problems.
A Method for Preparing a Commercial Grade of Calcium Arsenate. J. K . H a y w o o d a n d C . M . S m ith . Department Bulletin 750. 10 pp. Paper, 5 cents. Published October 5, 1918. This paper is of interest to manufacturers of insecticides and fungicides.
Analysis of Experimental Work with Ground Raw Rock Phosphate as a Fertilizer. W . H. W a g g a m a n a n d C. R. W a g n e r .
Department Bulletin 699. 119 pp. Paper, 10 cents. Published October 16, 1918.
A Preliminary Study of the Bleaching of Oats with Sulfur Dioxide. G. H. B a s t o n . Department Bulletin 725. 11 pp.
Paper, 5 cents. Published October 22, 1918. This bulletin consists of the results of laboratory experiments with oats before and after bicaching and is of interest to chemists generally.
A r tic le s f r o m t h e J o u r n a l o f A g r ic u ltu r a l R e se a r c h
Resistance of Seeds to Desiccation. G. T. H a r r i n g t o n a n d W . C r o c k e r . 14, 525-53 2 (September 16).
An Improved Method for Recovering Trypanosomes from the Blood of Rats for Antigen Purposes in Connection with Complement Fixation. F . H . R e y n o l d s a n d H . W . S c h o e n - i n g . 1 4 , 5 7 3 - 5 7 6 (September 2 3 ).
Condition of Fertilizer Potash Residues in Hagerstown Silty Loam Soil. W. F r e a r a n d li. S. E r b . 15, 59-81 (October 14,
1918).
A Study of Engineering Education. B y C h a r l e s R i b o r g
M a n n , xi + 130 pp. Bulletin ir . The Carnegie Foun
dation for the Advancement of Teaching 1918.1
The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has just issued a generous pamphlet in large octavo, on " A Study of Engineering Education,” by Professor Charles Riborg Mann, of the Department of Physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Naturally, this report is mainly concerned with a discussion of engineering as related to what arc usually recognized as the old staple branches of the science, both theoretical and practical; but, inasmuch as we, as chemists, are represented on the basic committee by two organizations,
1 R e p rin te d from The Crucible, p u b lish ed m o n th ly by th e P ittsb u rg h Section of th e A m erican C hem ical Society, 1 (1918), 61.
Chemistry of Sweet-Clover Silage in Comparison with Alfalfa Silage. C . O. S w a n s o n a n d E. L. T a g u e . 15, 113-132 (October 14, 1918).
Effect of Hydrocyanic-Acid Gas under Vacuum Conditions on Subterranean Larvae. E. R. S a s s c e r a n d H. L. S a n f o r d .
I5> 133-136 (October 21, 1918).
Catalase and Oxidase Content of Seeds in Relation to Their Dormancy, Age, Vitality, and Respiration. W. C r o c k e r a n d
G. T . H a r r i n g t o n . 15, 137-174 (October 21, 1918).
Plasticity of Biologic Forms of Puccinia graminis. E. C S t a k m a n , F. J. P i e m e i s e l , a n d M . N. L e v i n e . 15, 221-249 (October 28, 1918).
Experiments in Field Technic in Plot Tests. A . C . A r n y a n d H . K . H a y e s . 15, 251-262 (October 28, 1918).
Net Energy Values of Alfalfa Hay and of Starch. H. P.
A r m s b y a n d J. A . F r i e s . 15, 269-286 (November 4, 1918).
Soil Factors Affecting the Toxicity of Alkali. F . S . H a r r i s a n d D. W. P i t t m a n . 15, 287-319 (November 4, 1918).
Soil Acidity as Affected by Moisture Conditions of the Soil.
S . D. C o n n e r . 15, 321-329 (November 11, 1918).
Determining the Absolute Salt Content of Soils by Means of the Freezing-Point Method. G. J. B o u y o u c o s a n d M. M.
M c C o o l . 15, 331-336 (November 11, 1918).
B U R E A U OF F O R E IG N A N D D O M E S T IC C O M M ER C E
Industrial Standards. The following pamphlets of the In
dustrial Standards Series issued by this Bureau are Spanish- English editions of specifications approved by the American Society for Testing Materials or other organizations, which have been prepared for circulation recently.
2— Standard specifications for carbon steel rails. Revised 1914. 27 pp. 5 cents.
5— Standard specifications for medium-carbon steel splice bars. Revised 1914. 15 pp., 2 text figs. 5 cents.
6— Standard specifications for high-carbon steel splice bat's.
Revised 1914. 15 pp., 2 text figs. 5 cents.
7— Standard specifications for structural steel for bridges.
Revised 1916. 21 pp., 4 text figs. 5 cents.
9— Standard specifications for structural steel for locomotives.
Revised 1916. 19 pp., 2 text figs. 5 ccnts.
10— Standard specifications for carbon steel bars for railway springs. Revised 1916. 13 pp. 5 cents.
11— Standard specifications for carbon steel and alloy steel forgings. Revised 1918. 25 pp., 2 text figs. 5 cents.
12— Standard specifications for quenched and tempered carbon-steel axles, shafts, and other forgings for locomotives and cars. Revised 1918. 25 pp., 2 text figs. 5 cents.
13— Standard specifications for carbon steel forgings for loco
motives. Revised 1916. 19 pp., 2 text figs. 5 cents.
“ The American Chemical Society” and “ The American In
stitute of Chemical Engineers,” and also inasmuch as several of the points noted in this remarkable survey are directly con
nected with both the teaching and the application of chemistry—
therefore, it follows that we, as chemists, are more than casuallv interested in the report and its later developments.
One of the most interesting points registered is that the qualities oi the successful engineer are noted in repeated allusion and reference, and, in reply to a questionnaire noting the fol
lowing six groups of qualities, namely, character, judgment, efficiency, understanding of men, knowledge, and technique—
out of seven thousand engineers replying, 94.5 per cent place character at the head of the list and technique at the bottom.
B O O K REVIEWS
1 7 6 T H E J O U R N A L O F I N D U S T R I A L A N D E N G I N E E R I N G C H E M I S T R Y Vol. 1 1 , N o. 2 There are many other notable additions to our information
and instances of emphasis on well-known principles, such as the well-known guide of learning a thing through its use, as is well illustrated by the common "part-time” method of mingling instruction with shop practice and observation.
One who would gather all that this report has of value must study the report itself; but there is one matter, which comes out, by suggestion and perhaps neglect, rather than by actual formulation and emphasis thereon, and that is the peculiar practical psychology of the research element in the actual history of our average American chemical student. In other words, how shall we learn and teach the trick of finding, formula
ting, and answering real research problems?
One of the greatest of chemical teachers of all time, the former head of the first real chemical research department in an Ameri
can university (and of whom the writer was a former student), used to bewail the fact that, up to the time of his statement, only 5 per cent of his graduates showed marked ability as original research workers. This statement, presumably entirely correct from the old-fashioned standpoint, used to cause the writer much food for thought. Questions such as the following would arise:
Did the teaching element in the teacher so overshadow the research element that the student simply reflected the un
conscious tendency of the teacher? Was this great teacher himself naturally hampered by the lack of a real understanding of the research quality? Or was the fault to be found in the peculiar conditions and limitations of the American student and chemical explorer? Certainly, the relative mediocrity of the American student, as compared with the foreign student’s productivity in most lines of pure research has, till recently, been too obvious to call for further comment.
B ut there must be some further answer and some rebuttal to the criticism of the universal inferiority of the American re
search student. Perhaps it can be found by a frank confession from all; so here goes for a starter.
It was the experience of the writer that he barely caught the research idea while he was taking the training for his doctorate;
and certainly, he did not do much to expand that sorrowful 5 per cent. That was the sum and substance of my experience when teaching in a western State University, where the burdens of teaching and administration proved a sore limitation on any fair chance at research, though I did have a chance to turn out some fine men from among my students. Otherwise, some literary chemical work remains as almost the sole positive result of fifteen years of hard work; but later, when the writer found himself harnessed in the schcfol of "Hard Knocks,’ ’ then the special practical problem invariably suggested its appropriate answer, and the research quality seemed to develop.
I have heard a similar confession from many a colleague in the recent chemical opportunity which has come over us like a flood— from the broader work of such industrial miracles as this grand Mellon Institute— from the needs and emergencies and opportunities of this great world war.
The main fact seems to be, that the American mind is suited to grapple ■with any problem as soon as it puts on the overalls.
That suggests that, as a nation, we may still be in the colonistic condition, where “ necessity is the mother of invention.”
It may mean that we are specially fitted to cope with the practical, as the means of solving both the practical and the theoretical. Assuredly it does not mean that the inventive American chemist is the inferior of any race or nation of chemists, although it is quite possible that we still have something to learn of the value and strength of more intensive concentration, and also of the immense power of thoroughness, and it must mean that when we shall have begun to get some of the more immediate practical problems settled, we will attack the more remote and theoretical work, which must always remain as
part and parcel of the general task of using all the resources of Nature for the good of man.
And, speaking of engineering education in general— and of examinations in particular— here is a story which I picked up, years ago, and which is not entirely apochryphal; it is worth pondering over. It happened, once upon a time, that two young chemists in Munich, at Baeyer’s laboratory, had the effrontery to work out the proof of the correct structure of the rosaniline dyes. They showed that it was the methyl side chain of the toluidine that became the real type nucleus of the rosaniline and pararosaniline compounds. That was at the time when the great August Hofmann of Berlin was trying to force the facts to fit his mistaken theory that there was a triple- ammonia-nucleus at the center of the rosaniline compounds.
Now these two successful young chemists were no other than Emil and Otto Fischer, and they became at once well-known chemists; but it so happened that Emil Fischer was still a
"privat-docent,” not a "Herr Doctor.”
So, one day in the spring, Baeyer suggested to this bright, but conceited, young Emil Fischer, that he ought to stop his in
vestigation for a while, and brush up his general chemistry to be able to take his Doctor’s examination. Herr Emil Fischer consented to take the examination, but he made the mistake of supposing that just because he had done a piece of good work he was all ready for his trial. And so Emil Fischer let things slide along. Some days before the examination Herr Professor Baeyer is said to have retired from the world to the penetralia of his private library, where the same Professor Baeyer did glean and gather many facts on the history of the development of chemistry which would serve as sharp tests for the candidate.
And so it happened that when the examination came on, at the very first question from Herr Professor Baeyer, the renowned young chemist, Herr Emil Fischer, was startled by meeting something to which he had to reply, "Ich weis es nich;” and it is said that for two hours this same, cruel, said Professor Baeyer kept this same brilliant, young chemist, the Herr Emil Fischer, replying, “ I do not know.”
Of course, any good chemist might conceivably work up a set of questions that might conceivably flunk any other chemist;
and that suggests some of the rights and wrongs of the "ex
amination system.”
B ut after Professor Baeyer had gotten his favorite star pupil down where he wanted him, with all the starch taken out of him, he gave him some reasonable questions, and allowed Fischer to make a really brilliant examination.
The story is still old University gossip among those who know; and it is worth while, for it suggests questions which every young American chemist will wish to think out for himself.
W hat is a real examination? W hat is the test of real success?
W hat is real success— in theory and practice?
Ch a s. S . Pa l m e r
The Chemical Analysis of Iron. B y A n d r e w A l e x a n d e r
B l a i r . 8th Ed. 318 pp. J. B . Lippincott Co., Phila
delphia, 1918. Price, $5.00.
There must come a time in the life of every book which has passed through a number of editions when the author must decide as to whether some of the material contained in it should or should not be relegated to the historical museum or carried on as dead. In these times of scarcity of paper it seems that the author has lost a valuable opportunity to prune out obsolete material, or at least to star for the benefit of the uninitiated, the
There must come a time in the life of every book which has passed through a number of editions when the author must decide as to whether some of the material contained in it should or should not be relegated to the historical museum or carried on as dead. In these times of scarcity of paper it seems that the author has lost a valuable opportunity to prune out obsolete material, or at least to star for the benefit of the uninitiated, the